US6929244B1 - Interference-fit seal for gate valves - Google Patents
Interference-fit seal for gate valves Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6929244B1 US6929244B1 US10/383,144 US38314403A US6929244B1 US 6929244 B1 US6929244 B1 US 6929244B1 US 38314403 A US38314403 A US 38314403A US 6929244 B1 US6929244 B1 US 6929244B1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- section
- interference
- gate valve
- counterbore
- seat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime, expires
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
- F16K3/00—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing
- F16K3/02—Gate valves or sliding valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closing members having a sliding movement along the seat for opening and closing with flat sealing faces; Packings therefor
- F16K3/0227—Packings
- F16K3/0236—Packings the packing being of a non-resilient material, e.g. ceramic, metal
Definitions
- This invention relates in general to gate valves and in particular to the seat rings within the gate valves.
- Gate valves are used in oil and gas industry for a variety of flow lines.
- a typical gate valve has a body with a central cavity. The body has two passages that are coaxial and intersect the central cavity. Seat rings are located at the junctions of the flow passages with the central cavity. A gate is moved past the seat rings to either open or close the flow passages.
- the gate valves of the type concerned herein are designed so that the downstream gate will form a metal-to-metal seal with the downstream seat ring.
- the downstream seat ring also has to seal to the counterbore within the body in which it is located.
- Metal and elastomeric seal rings have been utilized in the past to seal the seat rings in the counterbores. Also, it is known to press seat rings within the counterbores to form an interference fit that is sufficiently tight so as to form a seal.
- the interface between the seat ring and the counterbore has two sections, a pilot section and an interference section.
- the pilot section is cylindrical and provides a slight clearance between the seat ring and the counterbore to facilitate entry of the seat ring into the counterbore.
- the interference section that provides an interference fit between the seat ring and the counterbore, creating the seal.
- the interference section is located closer to the valve body cavity than the pilot section.
- the counterbore is of a uniform cylindrical diameter.
- the seat ring has two different diameters, with the pilot section, which is at an outer end of the seat ring, being slightly smaller than the interference section, which extends inward from the pilot section. Both the pilot section and the interference section are cylindrical, resulting in a shoulder at a junction between them. Also, in the embodiment shown, the pilot section is more than twice the length of the interference section.
- Chamfers are preferably located on the inner end of the seal ring and optionally at the entrance of the counterbore.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gate valve constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a seat ring constructed in accordance with the present invention, the upper portion of the figure showing the seat ring in a fully-installed position, the lower portion of the figure showing the seat ring in an intermediate position during installation.
- FIG. 3 is a further enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the seal of FIG. 2 in an intermediate position during installation.
- valve 11 has a body 13 with a flow passage 15 extending transversely through it.
- Flow passage 15 has an downstream section 17 and an upstream section 19 .
- the downstream section 17 and upstream section 19 refer to a right to left direction of flow of fluid through valve 11 in normal well flow operations.
- Downstream section 17 and upstream section 19 may be reversed, with the normal well flow left to right, because the valve is symmetrical.
- Flow passage 15 intersects a central cavity or chamber 21 located in body 13 , and a counterbore is formed in flow passage 15 at each intersection with chamber 21 .
- the counterbore is concentric with each flow passage 15 and has a cylindrical, counterbore wall 23 .
- Each counterbore has a base or shoulder 25 at its outer end. Counterbore shoulder 25 is perpendicular to the axis of the flow passage 15 .
- a seat ring 27 locates in each counterbore.
- Each seat ring 27 is a cylindrical, tubular member having a passage 29 extending through it, passage 29 having a diameter that is substantially equal to the diameter of passage 15 of body 13 .
- Each seat ring 27 has an outwardly-facing end 31 that abuts shoulder 25 when seat ring 27 is in the installed position, shown in the upper portion of FIG. 2 .
- An inwardly-facing face 32 is located on the inner end of seat ring 27 .
- a chamfer 34 is formed at the circumference of outer end 31 .
- the outer cylindrical surface 33 of seat ring 27 comprises a pilot section 35 , an interference or seal band section 37 , and a relieved section 38 .
- Pilot section 35 is on the outer end portion of surface 33 and is cylindrical with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of counterbore wall 23 . The difference in diameters is about 0.005 to 0.006 inch.
- Interference section 37 is a cylindrical band that has a diameter about 0.005 to 0.010 inch greater than pilot section 35 .
- the diameter of interference section 37 is substantially the same as or a few thousandths of an inch larger than the diameter of counterbore wall 23 , preferably from 0.001 to 0.005 inch.
- the tolerances of interference section 37 are selected so that its diameter is not less than the diameter of counterbore wall so as to create an interference fit.
- Interference section 37 extends inward from pilot section 35 . Shoulder 39 ( FIG. 3 ) serves as a transition between pilot section 35 and interference section 37 .
- a chamfer 41 is formed in the inner opening of counterbore wall 23 , chamfer 41 being located inward of interference section 37 once seat ring 27 is fully installed.
- Interference section 37 has an axial extent less than the axial extent of pilot section 35 and is positioned so that it will be fully within counterbore wall 23 once installed.
- the inner end of interference section 37 terminates approximately at the edge of counterbore chamfer 41 when seat ring 27 is fully installed.
- the axial length of pilot section 35 measured from the inner edge of chamfer 34 to shoulder 39 is about 1.92 times the axial length of interference section 37 from shoulder 39 to recessed section 38 .
- the axial length of pilot section 35 measured from seat ring outer end 13 to shoulder 39 , is about 2.24 times the axial length of interference section 37 .
- valve 11 has a gate 43 in the embodiment shown.
- Gate 43 is split into two slabs in this embodiment, each slab having a hole 45 extending through it that registers with flow passage 15 when gate 43 is in the open position.
- a stem 47 when rotated, will cause gate 43 to move between the open position and a closed position, in which gate 43 is moved downward to block passage 15 .
- a handle 49 is employed in this embodiment for rotating the stem 47 although other types of actuators could be used.
- a conventional packing assembly 51 provides sealing for stem 47 .
- Outer surfaces 53 of gate 43 slidingly engage faces 32 of seat rings 27 .
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of seat ring 27 in this intermediate position during installation.
- interference section 37 is equal or larger than the inner diameter of counterbore wall 23 .
- a hydraulic press or other means is used to apply outward force to face 32 , moving seat ring 27 to the fully-seated position, as shown in the upper portion of FIG. 2 .
- Seat ring 27 is moved outwardly until outer end 31 of seat ring 27 abuts shoulder 25 of the counterbore.
- the interference fit between wall 23 and interference portion 37 retains seat ring 27 and seals between seat ring 27 and counterbore wall 23 .
- handle 49 is rotated to move gate 43 to a position relative to passages 15 , 29 that allows a desired amount of fluid flow through valve 11 .
- fluid flows through upstream section 19 , through the upstream seat ring 27 , through holes 45 in the slabs of gate 43 , then through the downstream seat ring 27 and downstream section 17 .
- gate 43 may also be moved to a partially-closed position, in which holes 45 are not concentric with passages 29 but are partially open to allow some fluid flow through valve 11 .
- the invention has significant advantages over other common, metal, interference-type seat rings.
- the seat ring of the invention provides for reliable, gas-tight metal sealing between the gate and the seat rings and between the seat rings and the valve body, making the valve capable for use in high-temperature (approximately 650° F.) applications.
- the pilot section decreases the chance of misalignment of the seat rings under the pressing loads, significantly reducing assembly errors and improving the capability of leak-tight seat-to-gate sealing in a low-pressure gas test.
- the pilot section also reduces the amount of travel from the intermediate position to the fully-seated position, minimizing the area of potential surface marring created by the loads required to seat the seat ring. Additionally, the seat ring is more easily removed, making the rework of the body more viable.
- the seat ring is sized to provide resistance to movement in the counterbore that is sufficient to withstand expected pressures acting on the backside of the seat ring.
- This seat-ring design provides for stability of the seat ring in the counterbore that is superior to current gate valves using metal-sealing-type seat rings. This benefit will provide for superior, low-pressure seal repeatability and lower torque, as well as fewer occurrences of gate-to-seat-interface cycling damage.
- valves with pressed-in seats can only operate in a uni-directional flow because of the gate design.
- the combination of the new seat design and split-gate design provides a metal-sealing, as well as bi-directional sealing, high-temperature gate valve, which is highly tolerant to corrosive media flowing through it.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sliding Valves (AREA)
- Details Of Valves (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (16)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/383,144 US6929244B1 (en) | 2002-03-12 | 2003-03-06 | Interference-fit seal for gate valves |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US36371902P | 2002-03-12 | 2002-03-12 | |
US10/383,144 US6929244B1 (en) | 2002-03-12 | 2003-03-06 | Interference-fit seal for gate valves |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US6929244B1 true US6929244B1 (en) | 2005-08-16 |
Family
ID=34830175
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/383,144 Expired - Lifetime US6929244B1 (en) | 2002-03-12 | 2003-03-06 | Interference-fit seal for gate valves |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US6929244B1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090288832A1 (en) * | 2008-05-20 | 2009-11-26 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Varying Access Points for Tubing and Casing Monitoring and Casing Annulus Remediation Systems |
US20110140027A1 (en) * | 2009-12-11 | 2011-06-16 | Parks Glenn C | Gate valve |
WO2012048024A1 (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2012-04-12 | National Oilwell Varco, L.P. | Gate valve |
US8403039B2 (en) | 2010-05-13 | 2013-03-26 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Tool and method for providing access to a wellhead annulus |
US8662473B2 (en) | 2011-04-05 | 2014-03-04 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Replaceable floating gate valve seat seal |
US8973897B2 (en) | 2012-01-03 | 2015-03-10 | Forum Us, Inc. | Valve seat retention pin |
US9316322B2 (en) | 2012-07-02 | 2016-04-19 | Vetco Gray U.K. Limited | Split seat shear valve |
US11174958B2 (en) | 2019-01-24 | 2021-11-16 | Jet Oilfield Services, LLC | Gate valve and method of repairing same |
Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2869819A (en) | 1954-06-25 | 1959-01-20 | Acf Ind Inc | Gate valve |
US2925994A (en) | 1954-02-11 | 1960-02-23 | Acf Ind Inc | Seat for gate valve |
US2925993A (en) | 1956-12-27 | 1960-02-23 | Acf Ind Inc | Seat for gate valve |
US3434692A (en) | 1967-02-23 | 1969-03-25 | Cassius L Tillman | Bifaced wedged gate valve |
US4116419A (en) * | 1977-10-21 | 1978-09-26 | Acf Industries, Incorporated | Limited float seat construction for expanding gate valve |
US4192483A (en) * | 1978-12-20 | 1980-03-11 | Grove Valve And Regulator Company | One piece seat ring with O-ring seal |
US4376526A (en) * | 1980-08-04 | 1983-03-15 | Seaboard Wellhead Control, Inc. | Seal assembly and valve |
US4441688A (en) | 1981-12-10 | 1984-04-10 | Tomozo Kato | Bonnetless compact design gate valve |
US4489918A (en) | 1983-02-18 | 1984-12-25 | Kalsi Manmohan S | Nonfloating seat for expanding gate valves |
US4568062A (en) * | 1983-03-07 | 1986-02-04 | Fmc Corporation | Fire-resistant gate valve |
US4824074A (en) * | 1984-02-13 | 1989-04-25 | Baugh Benton F | Bi-directional gate valve |
US5192051A (en) | 1992-07-30 | 1993-03-09 | Abb Vetco Gray Inc. | Unidirectional seat seal for gate valve |
US5291912A (en) * | 1993-06-10 | 1994-03-08 | Abb Vetco Gray Inc. | Rupture disk for fire safe valves |
US5370362A (en) | 1993-10-15 | 1994-12-06 | Abb Vetco Gray Inc. | Gate valve |
-
2003
- 2003-03-06 US US10/383,144 patent/US6929244B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2925994A (en) | 1954-02-11 | 1960-02-23 | Acf Ind Inc | Seat for gate valve |
US2869819A (en) | 1954-06-25 | 1959-01-20 | Acf Ind Inc | Gate valve |
US2925993A (en) | 1956-12-27 | 1960-02-23 | Acf Ind Inc | Seat for gate valve |
US3434692A (en) | 1967-02-23 | 1969-03-25 | Cassius L Tillman | Bifaced wedged gate valve |
US4116419A (en) * | 1977-10-21 | 1978-09-26 | Acf Industries, Incorporated | Limited float seat construction for expanding gate valve |
US4192483A (en) * | 1978-12-20 | 1980-03-11 | Grove Valve And Regulator Company | One piece seat ring with O-ring seal |
US4376526A (en) * | 1980-08-04 | 1983-03-15 | Seaboard Wellhead Control, Inc. | Seal assembly and valve |
US4441688A (en) | 1981-12-10 | 1984-04-10 | Tomozo Kato | Bonnetless compact design gate valve |
US4489918A (en) | 1983-02-18 | 1984-12-25 | Kalsi Manmohan S | Nonfloating seat for expanding gate valves |
US4568062A (en) * | 1983-03-07 | 1986-02-04 | Fmc Corporation | Fire-resistant gate valve |
US4824074A (en) * | 1984-02-13 | 1989-04-25 | Baugh Benton F | Bi-directional gate valve |
US5192051A (en) | 1992-07-30 | 1993-03-09 | Abb Vetco Gray Inc. | Unidirectional seat seal for gate valve |
US5291912A (en) * | 1993-06-10 | 1994-03-08 | Abb Vetco Gray Inc. | Rupture disk for fire safe valves |
US5370362A (en) | 1993-10-15 | 1994-12-06 | Abb Vetco Gray Inc. | Gate valve |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090288832A1 (en) * | 2008-05-20 | 2009-11-26 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Varying Access Points for Tubing and Casing Monitoring and Casing Annulus Remediation Systems |
US8191622B2 (en) | 2008-05-20 | 2012-06-05 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Varying access points for tubing and casing monitoring and casing annulus remediation systems |
US20110140027A1 (en) * | 2009-12-11 | 2011-06-16 | Parks Glenn C | Gate valve |
US8690124B2 (en) | 2009-12-11 | 2014-04-08 | Ge Oil & Gas Pressure Control Lp | Gate valve |
US8403039B2 (en) | 2010-05-13 | 2013-03-26 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Tool and method for providing access to a wellhead annulus |
WO2012048024A1 (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2012-04-12 | National Oilwell Varco, L.P. | Gate valve |
US8672295B2 (en) | 2010-10-08 | 2014-03-18 | National Oilwell Varco, L.P. | Gate valve |
US8662473B2 (en) | 2011-04-05 | 2014-03-04 | Vetco Gray Inc. | Replaceable floating gate valve seat seal |
US8973897B2 (en) | 2012-01-03 | 2015-03-10 | Forum Us, Inc. | Valve seat retention pin |
US9316322B2 (en) | 2012-07-02 | 2016-04-19 | Vetco Gray U.K. Limited | Split seat shear valve |
US11174958B2 (en) | 2019-01-24 | 2021-11-16 | Jet Oilfield Services, LLC | Gate valve and method of repairing same |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ABB VETCO GRAY INC., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LAW, ROBERT K.;DACH, ANTON J. JR.;COMEAUX, DAVID D.;REEL/FRAME:013864/0242 Effective date: 20030304 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VETCO GRAY INC., TEXAS Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:ABB VETCO GRAY INC.;REEL/FRAME:015479/0905 Effective date: 20040726 |
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STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
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Year of fee payment: 4 |
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Year of fee payment: 8 |
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FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VETCO GRAY, LLC, TEXAS Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:VETCO GRAY INC.;REEL/FRAME:052019/0590 Effective date: 20170516 |